By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The National Assembly in Zambia on Friday declared vacant the seat occupied by Tasila Lungu, daughter of the country’s late ex-President Edgar Lungu, citing continued absence from parliamentary business in the wake of her father’s death.
Before her dismissal, Ms Lungu was the member representing Chawama constituency in the capital, Lusaka, from the opposition Patriotic Front.
In response to her dismissal, she told her constituents that she may try and challenge the decision saying: “Where there is a will there is a way”.
Her father died in June at the age of 68 in South Africa, where he was seeking medical treatment.
This led to legal challenge with his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema, who wanted his body brought back home for a state funeral, a development the late President’s family kicked against.
Ms Lungu has been attending the court case in South Africa, which challenges an August ruling ordering the repatriation of Lungu’s body.
Calls for her parliamentary seat to be declared vacant first came from the ruling United Party for National Development.
Brian Kambita MP questioned the Speaker in July about whether Ms Lungu was still qualified to hold office because of her prolonged absence.
Speaker Nelly Mutti initially granted Ms Lungu 14 days of compassionate leave to mourn her father and return to parliament when it resumed in September.
However, she did not return within the given time.
Parliament wrote to Ms Lungu again, but instead of resuming her duties, she requested more time until the court case over the burial was resolved.
She also asked to be allowed to attend parliamentary sessions virtually.
The matter was referred to the parliamentary committee on privileges and absences, which invited Ms Lungu to appear on 18 November. She however did not attend that meeting.
The committee later suggested allowing her to represent her Chawama constituency online until her father’s burial arrangements were concluded.
But the Speaker, Ms Mutti rejected the proposal, saying virtual attendance could not replace physical representation.
In a Facebook statement to her constituents on Friday, Ms Lungu thanked her “wonderful team of councillors, community members and constituency staff who continue to coordinate and work tirelessly to serve you”.
